The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-27
EXTRA BILLY SMITH
DYING AT HIs HONE In WAR
RINGrON, VA.
The Career OF n Notable FiGure In
the Politics OF the "Old
Dominion"

New York Times: FIX. Gov. VIM.
Smith, Of Virginia, is dying at his
home in Warrenton, Pauquier coun-
ty, in the State OF which he was
Governor more than forty years ago,
and of which he was Governor when
the war ended. Warrenton is the
social capital of the district which
Gov. Smith frequently represented
in Congress before the period Of Sc
cession. Extra Billy" Smith was a
mail contractor with the United
States Government, and had charge
of the line of stages for mail trans
portation from Washington as far
South as Milledgeville, GA. His
nickname of Extra Billy" grew out
Of his demands fer extra compensa-
ton. He was born in 1877 in King
George county, Va, at the upper
end of what Virginians call the
Northern Neck." While Governor
he was twice the caucus nominee of
the Democrats for United States
Senator, and was beaten first by X.
NJ. II. Hunter. and afterward by
James M. Mason. by coalition OF
the solid Wing minority and the
Calhoun Democrats.
He was elected Governor in 1868,
because OF his reputation as a fight
ing soldier, won as Colonel of the
Forty Virginia Infantry, and
as Brigade Commander. He was in
Congress when President Lincoln
was inaueurated, and challenged
criticism by calling for eggnogg,
which he drank on the floor OF the
House Of Representatives. He was
a member of the Legislature ef Vir-
GINA in 1896 and in 1910. lie was
elected member of the Twenty
seventh Congress, and repeatedly re-
elected. Virginiaus, realizing that
the close of his career il at hand, re-
call his wonderful dexterity in pol
tiles. He went to California in pur-
suit of political preferment, and, fail
ing, he returned to his native State to
repeat old time successes in politics.
Gov. Smith, Virginians say, was
never student OF craftsmanship, but
n marvelously skilled politician in the
direction of his personal ends. His
SOD, Col. Thomas Smith, is an Office
holder under the present admins
tration in New Mexico. Another son,
Austin Smith, was Collector of the
Port of San Francisco, and was a
delegate to the Democratic Conven-
ton at Charleston in 1860, and in
the course OF it's proceedings
put pronounced insult upon Gen.
b. 4. Butler. Austin Smith died
from a wound received at Fair Oaks
in 1862. Col. Tom Smith, the son
Of the dying Governor, who holds
the Office Of District Attorney OF
New Mexico, challenged and fought
Editor Elan, of the Richmond Whig,
when that paper was controlled by
the Malone influence. Mr.. Elan
was shot in the mouth, and toda!
suffers more from his wounds
than from that he subsequently re
ceived in his duel with Editor
Beirne, of the Richmond SAFE, whC
wounded him in the leg. Gov
Smith was in Washington in les'
than three months, and appeared t.
be in health. Cheeriulness anC
courage were large part of hi
makeup. He canvassed Pennsyl
vauia for Buchanan in 1856, at Mr.
Buchanan's urgent request, anC
made many converts for the Demo
Gratis by his ingenious pleas. AS {
politician, he was distinguished NOR,
by dexterity than by candor. As
soldier, he was the emblem of valor
rather than of tactical skill. "Fal
in, Forty ninth Virginia" will
come backlto many aYirginian soldie
as he recalls the rallying cry to hi
regiment OF brave old Gov. Smith.